Professional Development Framework:Tools and Resources: Appeals Process Approved by JIT, January, 2013

The Professional Development Framework Appeals process is coordinated through Professional Development and Education. The philosophy and processes that guide the Central Committee are applied to the Appeals Process, including deep respect for each applicant, confidentiality of the review, and a commitment to thoroughness. The Appeals Board utilizes consensus decision making—nurses who appeal receive a letter that explains the decision. Decisions are final and are not subject to the dispute process.

The Framework Appeals Process provides nurses with the option of filing an appeal in two situations:

To learn more about the Appeal of a Central Committee decision, click here.

To learn more about the Appeal of a Level demotion associated with the annual evaluation and renewal process, click here.

Professional Development FrameworkTools and Resources: Appeal of a Central Committee decision

A first consideration for the nurse who is not advanced by the Central Committee is the feedback given about why he/she did not advance.

For example, if a certain area of the Application Portfolio is not fully developed, perhaps immediate attention to the portfolio and re-application to the Central Committee, including another interview, are all that would be needed to bring about future advancement.

Or, the nurse may receive feedback that the Application Portfolio and interview did not support practice at the level to which the nurse had applied with specific rationale and suggestions for development. Addressing that “gap” through day to day work and/or leadership contributions and reapplying in the future may be the most appropriate plan.

However, if the nurse disagrees with the decision made and believes his/her Application Portfolio and interview supported advancement, he/she can file an appeal.

Steps in the Appeals Procedure for Appeal of a Central Committee decision

File and Schedule the Appeal

From the point of receipt of notification of not being advanced, the applicant has 30 calendar days to file an Appeal.

The appeal request must include: Name, unit, date of request, date of request, date notified of not being advanced, current level, level applied to, phone number, and email address. The appeal request should be brief, and need not contain any further detail.

Send your email directly to Judy Bliss in Professional Development and Education: judyblis@umich.edu

You will receive an email containing: confirmation of receipt of your request, date of the next meeting, and available interview times.

Every effort will be made to schedule your appeal within 30 calendar days of receipt of your request.

Upon receiving your choice of an interview time, you will be provided with an email confirming the date, time, and location of your interview.

Participate in Interview

In a manner consistent with the original interview, the Appeals Board will seek to verify, clarify, and amplify the information contained in your original portfolio, as well as focus on the areas identified in the Framework Interview Guidelines. In addition, during the course of the 30 minute interview with the Appeals Board and at the applicant’s discretion, the opportunity to discuss one’s perspective regarding the Central Committee experience and decision will be made available.

Decision

The decision of the Appeals Board will be communicated to the applicant within 2 weeks of the Appeal in the form of a letter sent via US Mail. Appeals Board decisions are final and are not subject to the dispute process.

Professional Development FrameworkTools and Resources: Appeal of a Level Demotion

If a Level D or E nurse is demoted in the course of the defined annual evaluation and process, the nurse has the option to file an Appeal. The Appeals Board procedure also applies to the annual renewal process and is referenced in Contract Addendum D as follows:

Section C. Framework/RSAM Annual Evaluation and Renewal Process

The annual evaluation and renewal process will occur simultaneously at the unit level between the employee and the nurse manager on the employee’s anniversary date and will be based upon manager, peer, and self-evaluation.

All peer evaluations must be signed and made available to the employee who is being evaluated.

The annual performance evaluation is aligned with the Framework/RSAM behaviors.

Discipline will not be an automatic bar to advancement or renewal, nor will the facts giving rise to the discipline be automatically discarded from consideration of advancement in the Framework.

If there are issues in regard to level maintenance, the Manager will notify the employee as soon as possible and institute a corrective action plan. No employee will have their level changed without the opportunity for a corrective action plan to include Association representation and an appeals process.

It is essential that both the nurse and the manager attend to this agreed upon process for annual evaluation.

Following completion of the evaluation forms by the nurse, his/her peers, and the manager, a meeting is held. Note in 5) above, if there are issues identified in regard to level maintenance, a corrective action plan is instituted. This plan is NOT disciplinary. An Association (UMPNC) representative is present in order to ensure that the employee has the opportunity to correct any identified issues before a demotion takes place. If, however, the plan is identified and implemented, but the manager does not see sufficient progress, a demotion may take place. It is at that point that the nurse would have the option to appeal.

Steps in the Appeals Procedure for Appeal of a Level Demotion

File and Schedule the Appeal

From the point of receipt of notification of demotion, the nurse has 30 calendar days to file an Appeal.

The appeal request must include: Name, unit, date of request, date of request, date notified of demotion, level demoted from, level demoted to, phone number, and email address. The appeal request should be brief, and need not contain any further detail.

Send your email directly to Judy Bliss in Professional Development and Education: judyblis@umich.edu

You will receive an email containing: confirmation of receipt of your request, date of the next meeting, and available interview times.

Every effort will be made to schedule your appeal within 30 calendar days of receipt of your request.

Upon receiving your choice of interview times, you will be provided with an email confirming the date, time, and location of your interview.

Documents required for Appeals of Level Demotions

The original application portfolio, if available (provides “baseline” for practice)

Employee Evaluation form, with ratings columns filled in by both the nurse and the manager, as well as comments by both

Peer feedback forms submitted at the time of evaluation

Corrective Action Plan including dates and any follow up documentation

Interview

The Appeals Board will seek to verify, clarify, and amplify the information contained in the above documents. During the course of the 30 minute interview, the board will seek to determine where there is sufficient evidence that the nurse continues to meet a preponderance of behaviors at the designated Framework level.

Decision

The decision of the Appeals Board will be communicated to the applicant within 2 weeks of the Appeal in the form of a letter sent via US Mail. Appeals Board decisions are final and are not subject to the dispute process.

Professional Development FrameworkTools and Resources: Appeals Board Membership

The Appeals Board is composed of three members appointed by the University and three members appointed by the UMPNC. Appeals Board members, per contract, “rotate two off each year—one from the UMPNC and one from UMHS, resulting in three-year terms.”

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